Local

A heavy lack of rainfall has produced a drought across western North Carolina. As seen from this U.S. Drought Monitor of North Carolina map, Graham County is under a “severe drought.” Map courtesy of North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality

A heavy lack of rainfall has produced a drought across western North Carolina. As seen from this U.S. Drought Monitor of North Carolina map, Graham County is under a “severe drought.” Map courtesy of North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality

Send down the rain

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 9, 2023
A heavy lack of rainfall in the area has wreaked havoc on conditions outdoors, which has sparked a pair of unrelated fires – one planned, one not – and the implementation of an outdoor burn ban. The North Carolina Forest Service issued a ban for a 14-county area, which went into effect at 5 p.m.

Lake Santeetlah council shuffled again

News Staff
Thursday, November 9, 2023
At the local level, only two races were contested during the 2023 election season: seats on the councils of Graham County’s two smallest municipalities, Fontana Dam and Lake Santeetlah.
Fontana Village Marina Manager Brandon Jones helps unload trash during the Fontana Lakeshore Cleanup on Saturday. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Fontana Village Marina Manager Brandon Jones helps unload trash during the Fontana Lakeshore Cleanup on Saturday. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

65,000 pounds lighter

Ruby Annas
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Fontana Dam – All were encouraged to help keep Fontana Lake beautiful during the sixth annual Fontana Lakeshore Trash Clean-Up, which was held from Friday-Sunday.
It has been over five years since Graham County Sheriff’s Office personnel Edward Cable (center) and Jerry Crisp escorted Garrel Alvah Orr out of the Graham County Courthouse after being charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his daughter-in-law Lora Orr. Monday, Garrel pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter.

It has been over five years since Graham County Sheriff’s Office personnel Edward Cable (center) and Jerry Crisp escorted Garrel Alvah Orr out of the Graham County Courthouse after being charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his daughter-in-law Lora Orr. Monday, Garrel pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter.

Orr pleads guilty

Ruby Annas
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Robbinsville – In a case that has lingered for over five years, Garrel Alvah Orr, 82, pleaded guilty Monday in the death of his daughter-in-law, Lora Orr in February 2018. Orr was sentenced 70-96 months in the state department of adult correction in Raleigh.
Attendees of Oct. 24’s “Shatter the Silence” event placed butterflies outside the Graham County Courthouse – a powerful tribute to victims lost to domestic violence. Photos by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Attendees of Oct. 24’s “Shatter the Silence” event placed butterflies outside the Graham County Courthouse – a powerful tribute to victims lost to domestic violence. Photos by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

‘Leave with these names soaked in your heart’

Ruby Annas
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Robbinsville – Reach of Cherokee/Graham County hosted “Shatter the Silence” – an event to remember those who lost their lives to domestic violence – outside the Graham County Courthouse on Oct. 24.

Students safe after bus accident

Ruby Annas
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Robbinsville – Graham County Schools’ Bus 16 was involved in an accident Oct. 26, near the Black Knight Way/Rodney Orr Bypass (U.S. 129) intersection. A farm tractor pulling a house trailer was left-of-center while the bus was stopped and about to turn into the high school.

Lail case moved to March

Ruby Annas
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Robbinsville – A new admin session has been scheduled for the second person charged with “death by distribution” in the history of the county. Zada Louise Lail – 54, of Robbinsville – is due back for the session March 1, 2024.

Meet your Lake Santeetlah candidates

News Staff
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Lake Santeetlah – The 2023 election cycle features two municipal races within Graham County: Fontana Dam and Lake Santeetlah. Seven candidates are vying for five seats on the Santeetlah council, which has been the center of disputes and controversy for several years.
Graham County Patrol Officer Justin Stewart was recognized Oct. 19 for completing courses specializing in recognizing individuals who are Driving While Impaired. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Graham County Patrol Officer Justin Stewart was recognized Oct. 19 for completing courses specializing in recognizing individuals who are Driving While Impaired. Photo by Ruby Annas/news@grahamstar.com

Officer receives DWI Task Force training award

Ruby Annas
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Robbinsville – Graham County Patrol Officer Justin Stewart was recognized Oct. 19 for completing courses pertaining to Driving While Impaired Task Force training. Stewart completed three courses that took about 72 hours. He has been on patrol for the county sheriff’s office for two years.

South Carolina man injured on Appalachian Trail

Marshall McClung
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Nantahala – The Graham County 911 Center received a call reporting an injured hiker on the Appalachian Trail shortly after 8 a.m., Oct. 1. John Cloran – 70, of Converse, S.C. – had left Stecoah Gap around 9 a.m., Sept. 30, en route to the Nantahala Outdoor Center with three other hikers.